A Derby victory enabled Baker to tick off a major ambition, stepping into the shoes of his father, illustrious New Zealand trainer Murray Baker who notched five wins in the famed Randwick contest.

The Derby is a cornerstone of Australian racing history, inaugurated in 1861 in tandem with Archer’s first Melbourne Cup.

Baker stated his firm plan to campaign Green Spaces in the 2026 Melbourne Cup after the colt’s powerful effort.

“Melbourne Cup – bring it on!” Baker said

King’s calculated jockeying made her the debut female to land the Derby – 40 minutes post Jamie Melham’s Doncaster Mile score on Sheza Alibi via Doncaster Mile.

“This is just so satisfying,” King said.”I’ve had some much belief in this horse, the whole team has, they’ve done an amazing job and Bjorn has timed the colt’s Derby preparation to perfection.

“He’s a beautiful horse and I was very confident he would stay. He relaxed so well and did everything I asked.”

Green Spaces ($4.40) underlined his staying prowess, drawing right away for a three-plus length Derby success over Dezignation ($151) and Storm Leopard ($4.60) a long neck third.

The $3 top pick Observer toiled to fifth without relishing the “shifty” conditions entirely.

Green Spaces’ rivals behind him face scant mitigation for his unchallenged authority.

Having bolted in the Group 3 Spring Stakes at November’s Newcastle standalone card, Baker geared the colt toward the Derby.

“This is so special, what a great watch,” Baker said.”When they are in the zone like that, his trackwork has been in the zone, I was very confident, I couldn’t have him any better going into today.

“Every time I looked at him in the box, his coat was great, he was in the zone, and his work on Tuesday was great.”

Baker drew on his father’s expertise this week, with Murray’s Derby record including Quick Thinker (2020), Jon Snow (2017), Mongolian Khan (2015), It’s A Dundeel (2013) and Nom Du Jeu (2008) over 12 years.

“I spoke to Murray a lot this week, I asked him what would you do with this horse,” Baker said.”He said don’t leave him short son. Then when the rain came this morning, I was very confident he was fit enough.”

Particular accolades went from Baker to King for her Derby ride.

“Rachel’s done so much work for our stable and she delivers, she delivers on the big stage,” Baker said.”She rode him perfectly today, it was an exceptional ride.”

King lauded Baker as a “massive supporter of mine”.”I disappear for a month to ride in Japan but he’s always there for me when I come back,” King said.”I made an effort this year to come back and trial this horse during my trip because I wanted to stay with the colt so thanks to Bjorn and the Godolphin team for sticking with me.”

Street Boss delivers Godolphin-Darley’s fourth distinct Group 1 this season with Green Spaces, behind Tentyris, Tempted and Pericles.

The sire of Horse of the Year Anamoe is Street Boss.

A bold second from Matthew Smith’s Dezignation, who stayed on hardest in the searching 2400m Derby excluding peerless Green Spaces.

“He has run out of his skin,” said jockey Tyler Schiller, rider of Dezignation. “He stays all day.”

Tommy Berry on Storm Leopard anticipated success after inside Observer on the turn to front-run.”I thought it was an extraordinary effort off the back up,” Berry said of Storm Leopard, who won the Tulloch Stakes last week.”The winner was set for the race and won accordingly but Storm Leopard has a bright future in the staying ranks.”

Find the finest racing betting markets across top sites for Australian Derby action.